ms Oosterdam accidents and incidents

05 December 2019Propulsion / Power Loss

On December 7, 2019, due to propulsion issues, the cruise liner remained berthed overnight in homeport San Diego for necessary repairs on one of its propulsion units (Azipods / azimuth thrusters). The itinerary was altered as departure was postponed for December 8 (at 6 pm) instead of the planned December 7 (at 5 pm). The 3rd scheduled call port (Mazatlan, December 11) was dropped.

As compensation, all passengers received USD 100 in refundable OBC (onboard credit). The accident occurred at the beginning of 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise (itinerary Dec 7-14) roundtrip from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan (canceled, planned port stay Dec 10, 8 am - 5 pm) and Puerto Vallarta.

11 September 2019Coast Guard Medevacs

On September 11, 2019, a 71-year-old male passenger (suffering stroke symptoms) was USCG-medevaced from the liner approx 21 km (13 mi) off Dry Bay (Alaska's Glacier Bay NP). At ~9 am, the elderly man was airlifted by an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter dispatched from USCG Air Station Sitka. The aircrew was on a training flight when was contacted and diverted to meet the ship for the medical evacuation.

The incident occurred during 7-day Alaskan Explorer cruise (itinerary Sept 8-15) roundtrip from homeport Seattle WA to Juneau, Hubbard Glacier (Sept 11), Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria (BC Canada).

04 May 2019Ship Collision / Allision

On May 4, 2019, at ~6:30 am, while maneuvering for berthing at Canada Place Terminal (Vancouver, BC Canada), MS Oosterdam collided with the already docked fleetmate MS Nieuw Amsterdam. No injuries were reported. The itinerary was not affected.

According to Holland America Line's official statement, the vessels "rubbed against each other while docking stern to stern". Oosterdam sustained a long scratch on hull's stern starboard. On Nieuw Amsterdam, 6 cabin balconies were damaged.

The accident occurred at the end of the 4-day Alaskan repositioning cruise (itinerary April 30 - May 4-11) from San Diego to Vancouver, also visiting Victoria BC (on May 3).

November 2016Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In November 2016, CDC reported on itinerary Nov 3 to 18, a Norovirus outbreak infected 90 passengers (out of 1843, or 4,9%) and 22 crew (out of 796, or 2,8%). The ship was on 16-day Transatlantic repositioning cruise from Europe to Florida (Civitavecchia-Rome to Tampa), with call ports Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Malaga, and Funchal (Madeira).

07 September 2014Coast Guard Medevacs

On September 7, 2014, an 84-year-old female passenger was medevaced by a USCG helicopter near Glacier Bay Alaska. The elderly woman was hoisted and transported to a hospital in Juneau AK.

09 October 2013Coast Guard Medevacs

On October 9, 2013, a 70-year-old male passenger suffered from internal bleeding while the vessel was en-route from San Diego to Hawaii (call port Lahaina, Maui). After the ship’s medical crew requested assistance, a USCG Hercules plane delivered 6 blood units, 1 platelet pack and 2 transfusion kits.

01 January 2013Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On January 1, 2013, a male crew (of Canadian origin, working on the ship as a dancer) sustained injuries that resulted in an amputation of 2 toes and parts of the others. The incident occurred during a live show presented at the ship’s theatre lounge when the collapsed stage lift crushed his right foot.

22 July 2011Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard) On July 22, 2011, a 20-year-old female passenger was presumed fell overboard. She was reported missing by her family at ~7 am. After the ship conducted an unsuccessful search operation, the USCG was notified at ~4 pm. The conducted by USCG assets search was also unsuccessful in finding the woman, The ship was in Alaska, en-route from Sitka to Ketchikan.

February 2009Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In February 2009, CDC reported on the voyage Feb 21 to 28, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 110 passengers (out of 1840, or 6%) and 10 crew (out of 786, or 1,3%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins. The ship was on 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise roundtrip from homeport San Diego CA.

January 2008Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

On January 5, 2008, the ship reported a Norovirus outbreak affecting 76 passengers (or 3,8% of all) and 4 crew (or 0,5% of all) during 7-day Baja Mexico cruise roundtrip from homeport San Diego CA.

2006Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

Twice in 2006 (in June and December), the ship reported a total of 110 passengers experiencing the Norovirus symptoms. Because the required by CDC threshold of 3% infected was not reached on each of both voyages, the incidents were not reported as outbreaks.

10 April 2005Coast Guard Medevacs

On April 10, 2005, three passengers were medevaced via USCG helicopters at different times on the same day.

• The first airlift was of a 78-year-old male passenger suffering fractured hip after falling.
• The second was of a 64-year-old female passenger with a torn esophagus (food pipe) after bumping into the boutique shop’s glass door.
• The third airlifted was a 55-year-old female passenger with severe internal pains.

10 July 2003Other Incidents

In March 2003 was officially announced, that the Inaugural cruise and the following itinerary are cancelled due to the vessel’s delayed delivery by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The Inaugural voyage was re-scheduled from July 10 to August 3.